M-Sport - Rear tires smell like burning rubber

[fiehlsport]

Every time I drive my X1 since purchasing it last August, I smell burning rubber coming from the rear tires. Anyone else smell this after parking their M-Sport in the garage? This is after normal driving to and from work, not aggressive in the least.

The tires aren't necessarily even warm when I smell them. It is not the rear brakes, I can stick my nose in the wheel and smell nothing. 100% the tires.

Rear tire wear seems to be equally poor on both sides, and I've had the vehicle aligned recently with no change. Right now it looks like I'm going to get 12-15k out of the rears. The tires are Goodyear EfficientGrip Runflats, 340 treadwear. Maybe it's the tire to blame?

This is the recent alignment, is the rear toe even that aggressive? It looks like they went easy on the camber, as the recommended (dead center) settings are even more negative. +0.17 degrees doesn't seem that bad... certainly not enough to make the tires smell.

[PrematureApex]

Looks at screen name...


It's not your tires that you're smelling. Your alignment is fine, and as you stated, they're not even warm...so...they're certainly not burning.

Look for another cause of the smell.

[fiehlsport]

Originally Posted by PrematureApex

Looks at screen name...


It's not your tires that you're smelling. Your alignment is fine, and as you stated, they're not even warm...so...they're certainly not burning.

Look for another cause of the smell.

I've been using the screenname since I was 16, maybe it's time for a change!!

Thanks for the input on the alignment, I thought it looked fine too.

But on that note, I've been around enough burnouts to be able to spot that smell, and it's the same exact thing. Everything is stock, so it can't be rubbing anywhere. I'm wondering if this is just the way these particular tires wear? Can anyone running these tires confirm?

[PrematureApex]

Originally Posted by burnout8488

But on that note, I've been around enough burnouts to be able to spot that smell, and it's the same exact thing. Everything is stock, so it can't be rubbing anywhere. I'm wondering if this is just the way these particular tires wear? Can anyone running these tires confirm?

There are other things that are rubber under there, remember. Bushings, exhaust hangers, etc.

Once again, if they wires aren't even warm, how the heck could you think you're smelling the scent of them burning?

You're not making any sense.

[vstolpner]

Might be a trash bag or something stuck to the exhaust. Raise up the car and get underneath to get a really good look at everything.

+1 on the screen name comment LOL

[nicknaz]

for a N55 equipped vehicle that seems about right to get 12-15k on the rear tires?

That's how much my wife got on her F30 335, and it was driven fairly gently.

I think if you moved to the 500 tread wear tires (like whatever the random pirelli's are on my non line X135) you'll probably get a lot more wear out of them

BTW, maybe its the brake pads from DSC usage if you are getting on the gas a bit when exiting a corner, (like a right hand turn where you floored it)

[MajorTranq]

I've noticed this smell since buying the 35i m-sport in October. It was strong at first and smelled like front brakes to me. The smell has faded but is still occasionally noticeable even after my slow and gentle 4mi. drive home.

I'm not super concerned but it is weird. Curious if others notice the same thing and/or have identified the cause.

[Teutonic]

While it may look silly, I will tell you my experience:
I hate the run flats with so much passion that I can not describe the feeling.
Prone to flats, screws and other hazardous elements on the road, heavy, harsh ride, etc.
Anyway, when I bought the car I had the same experience: strong burned rubber smell on the rear. Didn't know where is coming from and didn't find out neither. I got some eyebrows too, like I am joking, but the smell was there.

However, the run flats where making strong black marks on my beige garage floor and drove me nuts since I am a clean freak.

I planned to replace them but the marks on the floor pushed me to do it earlier. I sold my 17" OEM wheels with the Good Year run flats and moved on to 18" M wheels on Continental DWS.
As soon as I replaced the tires I was a happy man, better ride, no marks on my garage floor and guess what? No smell from the rear. Since then everything is just... perfect!
I run all year around the same set of tires in summer and (real) winter, and I just bought my second set of tires, the new Continental DWS 06.

[MajorTranq]

Originally Posted by Tracus

I planned to replace them but the marks on the floor pushed me to do it.
As soon as I replaced the tires I was a happy man, better ride, no marks on my garage floor and guess what? No smell from the rear. Since then everything is just... perfect!

Not silly at all. Sounds like your results speak for themselves. My car came with new run flats (which I'll ditch when they're worn out) so even though it doesn't really make sense, it does sound reasonable.

[vstolpner]

Yeah I got rid of my run flats as soon as I got the car. Much better ride without. Better handling too in all conditions.

[walendvay]

On my E84 and wife's F25, I do occasionally smell something "warm" from the center differential. We live on a mountain road, so when that unit is taxed, it gets warm. Also, will smell the rear brakes operating due to the traction control.

Another thing I noticed, someone mentioned 12-15k on tires. ouch. I just picked up my E84 in december and have been running winter tires. The darn car came with 19" wheels. Glad to hear that I'll be replacing tires yearly.

I need to find someone to trade 18s for 19s.

[themishmosh]

Just for comparison, I have Michelin Pilot A/S 2 with 500 treadwear and have 20,000 miles on them so far but the rears look like I'll be needing replacements in about 3-4000 miles.

[walendvay]

Originally Posted by themishmosh

Just for comparison, I have Michelin Pilot A/S 2 with 500 treadwear and have 20,000 miles on them so far but the rears look like I'll be needing replacements in about 3-4000 miles.

18 or 19?

[wantm135i]

check to see if the header or exhaust has heat wrap tape on the exhaust down pipe and pipes. check to see if rear gear oil is leaking or seal leaking.

[themishmosh]

Originally Posted by walendvay

18 or 19?

I have stock size 225/40/19 fronts and 255/35/19 rears

[walendvay]

Originally Posted by themishmosh

I have stock size 225/40/19 fronts and 255/35/19 rears

thx. good to know. once these tires wear out, i'll be selling these 19" wheels, that's for sure.

[Lucky13]

I have a 2013 X1 M Sport with the Goodyears and never had any smell and this is the second set.

[fiehlsport]

Originally Posted by Tracus

Anyway, when I bought the car I had the same experience: strong burned rubber smell on the rear. Didn't know where is coming from and didn't find out neither. I got some eyebrows too, like I am joking, but the smell was there.

Originally Posted by MajorTranq

I've noticed this smell since buying the 35i m-sport in October. It was strong at first and smelled like front brakes to me. The smell has faded but is still occasionally noticeable even after my slow and gentle 4mi. drive home.

Nice - glad to know I'm not crazy!

It's a distinct tire smell, the car is totally stock back there, exhaust clearances are original, nothing is dragging or caught on anything. It smells like I was doing burnouts when I pull into my garage, but it's just after a slow commute home. (No DSC activation or hard accel whatsoever)

I have been dreaming of the day I get a set of Conti DWS on the X1 as well, these tires ride terribly.

Thanks for all of the input everyone. Good to know the treadwear is normal for these runflats. I'll treat this as normal and get some better tires in the summer. :-)

[wantm135i]

i have my front orginal tires and rims brand new from my 2014 35i m sport sitting in my garage. any takers. i had replaced them with the rear rims and tires then there after sold the car